Mechanical loading of the distal end of the third metacarpal bone in horses during walking and trotting.
Abstract: To assess the net mechanical load on the distal end of the third metacarpal bone in horses during walking and trotting. Methods: 3 Quarter Horses and 1 Thoroughbred. Methods: Surface strains measured on the left third metacarpal bone of the Thorough-bred were used with a subject-specific model to calculate loading (axial compression, bending, and torsion) of the structure during walking and trotting. Forelimb kinematics and ground reaction forces measured in the 3 Quarter Horses were used with a musculoskeletal model of the distal portion of the forelimb to determine loading of the distal end of the third metacarpal bone. Results: Both methods yielded consistent data regarding mechanical loading of the distal end of the third metacarpal bone. During walking and trotting, the distal end of the third metacarpal bone was loaded primarily in axial compression as a result of the sum of forces exerted on the metacarpal condyles by the proximal phalanx and proximal sesamoid bones. Conclusions: Results of strain gauge and kinematic analyses indicated that the major structures of the distal portion of the forelimb in horses acted to load the distal end of the third metacarpal bone in axial compression throughout the stance phase of the stride.
Publication Date: 2010-05-04 PubMed ID: 20433375DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.71.5.508Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research examines the mechanical strain on a specific bone (the third metacarpal) in a horse’s leg during walking and trotting. The study found that this bone experiences mainly axial compression or pressure exerted along the vertical axis of the bone.
Methodology
- The research was conducted using four horses: three Quarter Horses and one Thoroughbred.
- The researchers used two different methods to assess the load on the bone.
- First, they measured surface strains on the left third metacarpal bone of the Thoroughbred horse.
- These measurements were used with a specific model to calculate loading (axial compression, bending, and torsion) of the structure when the horse was walking and trotting.
- Secondly, they measured the forelimb kinematics (the motion of the forelimb) and ground reaction forces (the force exerted by the ground on the horse’s foot) of the three Quarter Horses.
- These measurements were coupled with a musculoskeletal model of the lower part of the forelimb to determine the loading of the distal end (the farthest end) of the third metacarpal bone.
Results
- The data from both methods regarding the mechanical loading of the distal end of the third metacarpal bone were consistent.
- During walking and trotting, the results showed that the distal end of the third metacarpal bone was mainly loaded in axial compression, due to the sum of forces exerted on the metacarpal condyles (the rounded ends of the bone) by the proximal phalanx (the bone in the hoof) and proximal sesamoid bones (small bones located at the back of the fetlock joint).
Conclusions
- Strain gauge and kinematic analyses indicated that the major structures of the lower part of the forelimb in horses acted to exert an axial compression load on the distal end of the third metacarpal bone throughout the stance phase of the stride (when the horse’s foot is in contact with the ground).
- This suggests that axial compression is the primary form of stress experienced by the third metacarpal bone during walking and trotting in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Merritt JS, Pandy MG, Brown NA, Burvill CR, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Davies HM.
(2010).
Mechanical loading of the distal end of the third metacarpal bone in horses during walking and trotting.
Am J Vet Res, 71(5), 508-514.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.71.5.508 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. merritt@unimelb.edu.au
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Forelimb / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Metacarpal Bones / physiology
- Posture
- Running / physiology
- Stress, Mechanical
- Walking / physiology
- Weight-Bearing
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Abushhiwa MH, Elmeshreghi TN, Alrtib AM, Bennour EM, Oheida AH. First phalanx exostosis in traditional equestrian horses in Western Libya.. Open Vet J 2022 Jan-Feb;12(1):69-74.
- Pagliara E, Pasinato A, Valazza A, Riccio B, Cantatore F, Terzini M, Putame G, Parrilli A, Sartori M, Fini M, Zanetti EM, Bertuglia A. Multibody Computer Model of the Entire Equine Forelimb Simulates Forces Causing Catastrophic Fractures of the Carpus during a Traditional Race.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 16;12(6).
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